Biodegradable disposable toilet brush

ABSTRACT

A biodegradable toilet brush with (a) a brush head made of multiple layers of bio-degradable fabric disks and (b) a thin bio-degradable handle. The discs each have a center slot by which the discs are slid over and thus mounted on the handle. At least some of the discs include a plurality of blossoming slots  14  extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of the disk to help the brush head obtain a blossom appearance and create more “petals” to increase the cleaning action of the brush head.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application 63/357,867 filed Jul. 1, 2022.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to toilet bowl cleaning brushes. Typically, such brushes are made with plastic handles, a wire loop at the end of the handle which retains a plurality of plastic bristles which are used to do the actual cleaning. When these brushes are not in use cleaning the toilet, they are typically placed in a plastic or metal brush holder which is placed near the toilet. Such storage is messy and inherently leads to the transportation and storage of germs to the brush holder.

US20020054784A1 discloses a flushable toilet cleaning tool formed of a water soluble material includes a handle and a cleaning head. The cleaning tool is configured to permit the user to perform a cleaning operation and thereafter dispose of the cleaning tool by placing it in a toilet bowl where the interaction of the water resident in the bowl with the cleaning tool causes the tool to dissolve sufficiently to permit the cleaning tool to be flushed away. The cleaning tool may include a quantity of cleanser contained within the handle of the tool or alternatively disposed on the cleaning head itself.

WO2013113044A1 also discloses a fully disposable toilet cleaner which can be left to dissolve in the bowl of the toilet after use.

DE10238131A1 discloses a toilet brush with disposable tissue sheet attached to head and spring supported mechanism integrated in handle stick. A mechanism activated by a spring integrated in the handle provides the brush head with a sheet of a biodegradable material soaked with a cleansing fluid and pushes the folded head out of a case (2) for use. When the handle is pushed again the sheet is automatically removed and can be flushed down the toilet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a biodegradable toilet brush with (a) a brush head made of multiple layers of biodegradable fabric disks and (b) a thin bio-degradable handle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a user cleaning a toilet with a biodegradable toilet brush made in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment biodegradable toilet brush;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the brush head and a portion of the brush handle of the preferred embodiment biodegradable toilet brush;

FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of one of a plurality of upper biodegradable cellulose fabric disks used to make the brush head;

FIG. 4B is a front elevation view of one of a plurality of lower biodegradable cellulose fabric disks used to make the brush head;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the top of the handle and the two brush head retention pins which pass through the handle and hold the multiple biodegradable fabric disks therebetween;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fabric disks of the brush head being held back so the top of the brush handle and the top brush retainer pin are visible.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A product is biodegradable if it is capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms) (Merriam Webster).

The Federal Trade Commission provides that:

-   -   Marketers may make an unqualified degradable claim only if they         can prove that the “entire product or package will completely         break down and return to nature within a reasonably short period         of time after customary disposal.” The “reasonably short period         of time” for complete decomposition of solid waste products? One         year.

Each preferred embodiment toilet brush 1 is comprised of a brush head 10 and a handle 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Each brush head is comprised of a plurality of cellulosic fabric discs 11 a and 11 b (FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B). The fabric discs are made from “viscose” fibers. They are so named because they are regenerated from a viscous organic liquid, or slurry, of recycled wood pulp treated with chemicals such as caustic soda, ammonia, acetone, and sulphuric acid. Preferably, bamboo wood pulp is used. The fabric discs are preferably woven (or can be non-woven) fabric discs having the characteristics and feel of cotton. Each fabric disc has a thickness of about 0.006 to 0.012 inches, preferably 0.07-0.10.

Preferably, the fabric disks come in two different diameters. The upper fabric disks 11 a (FIG. 4A) are about 4⅓ inches in diameter and the lower fabric discs 11 b (FIG. 4B) are about 3½ inches in diameter. 20 cellulose fabric upper disks 11 a are used in each brush head. 26 lower cellulose fabric disks are used for the lower part of the brush head. Each of the fabric discs had a central slot 12 dimensioned to receive the width of the handle 20 there through. Thus slot 12 will be about ¼ to about ⅜ inch wide and about ½ to about ¾ inch lengthwise. Holes 13 receive both ends of brush head retention pin 21 a or 21 b (FIG. 5 ) there through. Holes 13, as will be described later. Holes 13 are about 0.08 to 0.10 inches in diameter.

Each upper cellulose fabric disk 11 a has a plurality of blossoming slots 14 extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of the disk to help the brush head obtain a blossom appearance and create more “petals” to increase the cleaning action of the brush head. Preferably, six radial blossoming slots 14 are spaced at equal distances around the perimeter of fabric disk 11 a, and projecting radially inwardly toward the center of the fabric disk 11 a about ⅜ to ¾ of an inch. Each 4⅓-inch diameter layer has six equally spaced radially extending slots, extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of fabric disc. There are 26 lower discs 11 b, none of which are slotted. Two spaced pins 21 a and 21 b extending laterally through handle 20 towards the end of thereof (FIG. 5 ) sandwich the 46 cellulose fabric disks between them and hold them firmly in place, allowing them to spread and extend outwardly into the shape of a ball.

Biodegradable handle 20 is also made from cellulose. Preferably, bamboo is used. Handle 20 is long enough to be used to clean a toilet without forcing the cleaning person to have his or her hand too close to the toilet or toilet water while cleaning. Preferably handle 20 is slightly bowed to facilitate its use. Preferably handle 20 is about ten to about sixteen inches long. Handle 20 is also relatively thin to enhance its biodegradability. Preferably, handle 20 is about ¼ inch to about ⅜ inch thick and about ½ to about ¾ inch wide. Brush head retention pins 21 a and 21 b (FIG. 5 ) extend through spaced holes in handle 20 near the top thereof and hold the plurality of cellulose disks 11 a and 11 b in place on handle 20. Brush head retention pins 21 a and 21 b are about 0.08 to about 0.10 inches in diameter, and the holes through handle 20 are dimensioned accordingly.

A biodegradable glue is used to hold pins 21 a and 21 b in place in the end of handle 20. A preferred embodiment biodegradable glue comprises a combination of water, starch, caustic soda and borax, preferably in the following proportions:

-   -   Water 70%     -   Starch 28%     -   Caustic soda 0.24%     -   Borax 0.27%

In assembly, a lower pin 21 a is inserted through its hole in handle 20 and is glued in place using a biodegradable glue. The top portion of handle 20 above lower pin 21 a is inserted through the slots 12 in the 26 lower cellulose fabric disks 11 b and the 20 upper cellulose fabric disks 11 a, respectively. The upper pin 21 b is then inserted through the upper hole in handle 20 at a level above the upper and lower cellulose fabric disks and is glued in place with a biodegradable glue. All of the cellulose fabric disks are then locked in place at the top of handle 20.

The cellulose fabric disks 11 a and 11 b are then subjected to a bunching operation in which cellulose fabric disks “are crumpled so as to form a roundish “blossom” as the brush head 10 on handle 20. In the process, the ends of lower pin 20 a are at least partially inserted into pin holes 13 of lower cellulose fabric disks 11 b. Similarly, ends of upper pin 21 b are at least partially inserted into pin holes 13 of upper cellulose fabric disks 11 a. This helps retain the brush head 10 in its “roundish” ball shape for cleaning. FIG. 6 shows the upper fabric disks 11 a being manipulated so one can see the upper pin 21 b and the upper end of handle 20 through which it extends.

Though not shown, a biodegradable inner bag, a biodegradable carton and bio-degradable tape are provided for packaging the biodegradable toilet brush 1. All three are preferably made of 100% wood pulp paper. Water based ink is provided for printing on the packaging, comprising preferably:

-   -   Water soluble acrylic resin: about 25 to about 35%;     -   Water: about 15 to about 25%;     -   Ethyl alcohol: about 5 to about 15%;     -   Triethylamine: about 5 to about 10%;     -   Pigment: about 10 to about 30%.

CONCLUSION

The biodegradable toilet brush of the preferred embodiment offers the following advantages:

-   -   It is durable enough for multiple uses, with the convenience and         cleanliness advantages of a single use, biodegradable design;     -   It minimizes cross contamination;     -   It reduces the waste occasioned by a typical plastic toilet         brush;     -   It improves cart and storage cleanliness by eliminating drips         and spills;     -   It avoids the risk of disposable pads clogging toilets;     -   It minimizes contamination risks;     -   It is 100% bio-degradable. 

We claim:
 1. A biodegradable toilet brush comprising: a brush head made of multiple layers of biodegradable fabric disks attached to and radiating outwardly from their attachment to a thin bio-degradable handle.
 2. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 1 comprising: said fabric disks being made of biodegradable cellulose fibers.
 3. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 2 comprising: said biodegradable cellulose fibers are. “viscose” fibers.
 4. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 3 in which said “viscose” fibers comprise bamboo wood pulp.
 5. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 4 in which each fabric discs has a thickness of about 0.006 to 0.012 inches.
 6. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 5 in which each fabric discs has a thickness of about 0.07-0.10.
 7. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 6 in which said biodegradable fabric disks are of two different diameters; upper fabric disks about 4⅓ inches in diameter and lower fabric discs about 3½ inches in diameter.
 8. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 7 in which each of said biodegradable fabric discs has a central slot dimensioned to receive the width of said biodegradable handle there through.
 9. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 8 in which each of said biodegradable fabric discs has a small hole on each side of said central slot; said handle having two spaced pins extending laterally through the handle towards the end thereof positioned to sandwich said cellulose fabric disks between them and hold them firmly in place, allowing them to spread and extend outwardly into the shape of a ball.
 10. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 1 in which at least some of the biodegradable fabric disks has a plurality of blossoming slots extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of said disk to help the brush head obtain a blossom appearance and create more “petals” to increase the cleaning action of the brush head.
 11. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 11 in which said cellulose fabric disks are subjected to a bunching operation in which said cellulose disks “are crumpled so as to form a roundish “blossom” serving as a brush head on said biodegradable handle.
 12. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 12 in which there are a first plurality of said fabric disks attached to said handle in position as an upper brush portion, a second plurality of said fabric disks attached to said handle position as a lower brush handle; said first plurality of fabric disks being slotted and said second plurality of fabric disks being un-slotted.
 13. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 13 in which six radial blossoming slots are spaced at equal distances around the perimeter of each of said first plurality of fabric disks projecting radially inwardly toward the center of said fabric disk about ⅜ to ¾ of an inch.
 14. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 1 in which said biodegradable handle is made from cellulose material and is long enough to be used to clean a toilet without forcing the cleaning person to have his or her hand too close to the toilet or toilet water while cleaning and is slightly bowed to facilitate its use.
 15. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 14 in which said handle is about ¼ inch to about ⅜ inch thick and about ½ to about ¾ inch wide.
 16. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 15 in which brush head retention pins extend through spaced holes in said handle near the top thereof and hold a plurality of cellulose disks in place on said handle.
 17. A biodegradable toilet brush comprising: a brush head made of multiple layers of biodegradable fabric disks attached to and radiating outwardly from their attachment to a thin bio-degradable handle; at least some of the biodegradable fabric disks has a plurality of blossoming slots extending radially inwardly from the perimeter of said disk to help said brush head obtain a blossom appearance and create more “petals” to increase the cleaning action of the brush head; said biodegradable handle being short enough to enhance storability and being long enough to be used to clean a toilet without forcing the cleaning person to have his or her hand too close to the toilet or toilet water while cleaning.
 18. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 17 in which there are a first plurality of said fabric disks attached to said handle in position as an upper brush portion, a second plurality of said fabric disks attached to said handle position as a lower brush handle; said first plurality of fabric disks being slotted and said second plurality of fabric disks being un-slotted.
 19. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 18 in which said fabric disks are made of biodegradable cellulose fibers and each of said fabric discs has a thickness of about 0.006 to 0.012 inches; said fabric disks being made of biodegradable cellulose fibers; said biodegradable handle being made from biodegradable cellulose material and being about % inch to about ⅜ inch thick and about ½ to about ¾ inch wide.
 20. The biodegradable toilet brush of claim 19 in which brush head retention pins extend through spaced holes in said biodegradable handle near the top thereof and hold a plurality of cellulose disks in place on said handle. 